Erin McKean Quotes

People say to me, ‘How do I know if a word is real?’ You know, anybody who’s read a children’s book knows that love makes things real. If you love a word, use it. That makes it real.

By the time the traditionally male lexicographers become interested in looking at fashion words, their origins are lost in the mists of time.

Lexicographers are language reporters.

Aging has been bad ever since we figured out it led to dying.

Serendipity is when you find things you weren't looking for because finding what you are looking for is so damned difficult.

Experiences is just paying attention as time passes.

I also think people should never turn down an opportunity to hold a baby. There's something about the feeling of a new baby in your arms that just fixes you.

Language is a nice way to remember things.

All language is a popularity contest.

You can weaponize nice... Being nice can make you be a little underestimated.

if you want someone to stop listening to you go ahead and yell. If you want them to listen to every word, whisper. -Mimi

For me, conferences are like little mental vacations: a chance to go visit an interesting place for a couple of days, and come back rested and refreshed with new ideas and perspectives.